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Safety
Chapter 9
includes:
Electrical safety
RF Exposure
Antenna Safety
Electrical Safety
Section 9.1
Most modern radio equipment
is solid state and uses low
voltage dc power, but the ac
line voltage that powers most
equipment is dangerous.
Electrical hazards can result in
two types of injury:
shocks and burns
These occur when current flows
through the body.
The burns are caused by the heating
of tissue as current passes though
the body.
Electrical current can also disrupt the
normal electrical function of cells
The current can cause involuntary
muscle contractions (T0A02)
It only takes
30 volts to
cause
enough
current flow
to be
dangerous.
(T0A01)
120 volts
The best way to avoid
electrical shock is
the never
work on
“live”
equipment;
UNPLUG it first!
Remember: capacitors store
electrical charge in a circuit, even
after the electricity is turned off.
This can present a hazardous shock voltage
for a long time. (T0A12)
Make sure all capacitors are discharged
before working on equipment.
The National Electrical Code and local
building codes ensure that the wiring
and outlets in your home are safe, and
that a safety ground is properly installed.
You can operate your radio in complete
safety when powered from your home’s
ac wiring; as long as you follow these
simple guidelines: (T0A06)
•Use 3 wire power cord
•Connect all equipment to a common
ground
•Use ground fault circuit Interrupter
(GFCI) circuit breakers.
•Never replace a fuse or circuit breaker
with a larger size
•Don’t overload single outlets.
If you need new wiring (hire a licensed electrician) and
inspect it to make sure it follows the wiring standard as
shown:
Hot = black
neutral = white
green/bare =
ground
(T0A03)
If you build your own
equipment; always install a
fuse or circuit breaker in
series with the ac hot
conductor (T0A13)
It is wise to take precautions
with your radio equipment to
protect it from lightning
damage.
Lightning protection is intended
to provide fire protection for
your home.
All antenna towers, masts and
antenna mounts should be
grounded according to your
local building codes. (T0B11)
This is done at the base or in if it
is a roof mount , through a
large-diameter wire to a ground
rod.
Ground connections should be as
short and direct as possible.
(T0A11)
It is important to avoid sharp bends
in the connecting wire. (T0B10)
When cables and feed lines enter the house,
ground all devices to a common plate that is
connected to a nearby external ground. (T0A07)
T0A01
Which is a commonly accepted
value for the lowest voltage
that can cause a dangerous
electric shock?
A. 12 volts
B. 30 volts
C. 120 volts
D. 300 volts
T0A02
How does current flowing through
the body cause a health hazard?
A. By heating tissue
B. It disrupts the electrical functions
of cells
C. It causes involuntary muscle
contractions
D. All of these choices are correct
T0A03
What is connected to the
green wire in a three-wire
electrical AC plug?
A. Neutral
B. Hot
C. Safety ground
D. The white wire
T0A06
What is a good way to guard against
electrical shock at your station?
A. Use three-wire cords and plugs for
all AC powered equipment
B. Connect all AC powered station
equipment to a common safety ground
C. Use a circuit protected by a groundfault interrupter
D. All of these choices are correct
T0A07
Which of these precautions should be taken when
installing devices for lightning protection in a
coaxial cable feedline?
A. Include a parallel bypass switch for each protector
B. Include a series switch in the ground line of each
protector to prevent RF overload
C. Keep the ground wires from each protector
separate and connected to station ground
D. Ground all of the protectors to a common plate
which is in turn connected to an external ground
T0A11
Which of the following is good practice
when installing ground wires on a tower
for lightning protection?
A. Put a loop in the ground connection to
prevent water damage to the ground system
B. Make sure that all bends in the ground
wires are clean, right angle bends
C. Ensure that connections are short and
direct
D. All of these choices are correct
T0A12
What kind of hazard might exist in a
power supply when it is turned off and
disconnected?
A. Static electricity could damage the
grounding system
B. Circulating currents inside the transformer
might cause damage
C. The fuse might blow if you remove the
cover
D. You might receive an electric shock from
stored charge in large capacitors
T0A13
What safety equipment should always be
included in home-built equipment that is
powered from 120V AC power circuits?
A. A fuse or circuit breaker in series with the
AC “hot” conductor
B. An AC voltmeter across the incoming
power source
C. An inductor in series with the AC power
source
D. A capacitor across the AC power source
T0B10
Which of the following is true
concerning grounding conductors used
for lightning protection?
A. Only non-insulated wire must be used
B. Wires must be carefully routed with
precise right-angle bends
C. Sharp bends must be avoided
D. Common grounds must be avoided
T0B11
Which of the following establishes
grounding requirements for an
amateur radio tower or antenna?
A. FCC Part 97 Rules
B. Local electrical codes
C. FAA tower lighting regulations
D. Underwriters Laboratories’
recommended practices
RF exposure
Section 9.2
High energy (high
frequency) EM waves
carry enough energy
to detach electrons
from their atoms.
Examples of this type
of EM wave are Xrays and gamma rays.
EM waves at Radio Frequencies (RF) are nonionizing radiation (T0C01)
Safe levels of exposure
have been established by
the FCC. These are the
Maximum Permissible
Exposure levels (MPE).
RF energy can only cause injury to
the human body if the combination
of frequency and power causes
excessive energy to be absorbed.
A type of heating of human tissue
can occur as a result of absorption of
RF energy. (Like a microwave works)
Absorption varies with frequency because the
body absorbs more RF energy at some
frequencies than others. (T0C05)
The total amount of RF absorption depends
on the intensity of the RF field and the
frequency of the wave.
The absorption rate depends on the
size or the body or the body part
affected. The absorption rate is
highest where the body (parts) are
naturally resonant.
Full Body
35 MHz if grounded
70 MHz is not grounded
Head only
400MHz
Above and below the ranges of highest
absorption the body responds less.
The MPE is lowest at 50MHz
(T0C02)
Duty cycle is another factor that
determines safe RF radiation
exposure levels. It is determined by
averaging time transmitter is keyed.
(T0C10)
Duty cycle refers to the ratio of
on-air time to total operating
time of a transmitted signal.
(T0C11)
Therefore the factors that affect
the RF exposure of people near
an amateur station antenna are:
•Frequency and power level of
the RF field
•Distance from the antenna to a
person
•Radiation pattern of the
antenna (T0C04)
FCC rules requires all fixed stations
to perform an exposure evaluation.
Three ways to do this: (T0C06)
1.by calculations based on FCC OET
bulletin 65
2.by calculations based on computer
modeling
3.by measurements using calibrated
equipment
VHF station operating with
a power level over 50 watts
PEP at the antenna are
required to perform an RF
exposure evaluation.
The best way to make sure
your station stay in compliance
with RF safety regulations is to
re-evaluate your station
whenever an item of
equipment is changed.
RF burns have occurred by touching
conducting surfaces (antenna) with high RF
voltage present (during transmissions)
(T0C07)
This type of burn can be eliminated by
proper grounding of the antenna or
preventing (accidental) access to the
antenna.
The best way amateur operators can
prevent exposure to RF radiation in excess
of FCC limits is to relocate antennas.
T0C01
What type of radiation are
VHF and UHF radio signals?
A. Gamma radiation
B. Ionizing radiation
C. Alpha radiation
D. Non-ionizing radiation
T0C02
Which of the following frequencies has
the lowest Maximum Permissible
Exposure limit?
A. 3.5 MHz
B. 50 MHz
C. 440 MHz
D. 1296 MHz
T0C03
What is the maximum power level that
an amateur radio station may use at
VHF frequencies before an RF exposure
evaluation is required?
A. 1500 watts PEP transmitter output
B. 1 watt forward power
C. 50 watts PEP at the antenna
D. 50 watts PEP reflected power
T0C04
What factors affect the RF exposure
of people near an amateur station
antenna?
A. Frequency and power level of the
RF field
B. Distance from the antenna to a
person
C. Radiation pattern of the antenna
D. All of these choices are correct
T0C05
Why do exposure limits vary with frequency?
A. Lower frequency RF fields have more
energy than higher frequency fields
B. Lower frequency RF fields do not
penetrate the human body
C. Higher frequency RF fields are transient in
nature
D. The human body absorbs more RF energy
at some frequencies than at others
T0C06
Which of the following is an acceptable
method to determine that your station
complies with FCC RF exposure regulations?
A. By calculation based on FCC OET Bulletin 65
B. By calculation based on computer modeling
C. By measurement of field strength using
calibrated equipment
D. All of these choices are correct
T0C07
What could happen if a person
accidentally touched your antenna
while you were transmitting?
A. Touching the antenna could cause
television interference
B. They might receive a painful RF burn
C. They might develop radiation
poisoning
D. All of these choices are correct
T0C08
Which of the following actions might
amateur operators take to prevent
exposure to RF radiation
in excess of FCC-supplied limits?
A. Relocate antennas
B. Relocate the transmitter
C. Increase the duty cycle
D. All of these choices are correct
T0C09
How can you make sure your station stays in
compliance with RF safety regulations?
A. By informing the FCC of any changes
made in your station
B. By re-evaluating the station whenever an
item of equipment is changed
C. By making sure your antennas have low
SWR
D. All of these choices are correct
T0C11
What is meant by “duty cycle” when referring
to RF exposure?
A. The difference between lowest usable
output and maximum rated output power of a
transmitter
B. The difference between PEP and average
power of an SSB signal
C. The ratio of on-air time to total operating
time of a transmitted signal
D. The amount of time the operator spends
transmitting
T0C10
Why is duty cycle one of the factors used to
determine safe RF radiation exposure levels?
A. It affects the average exposure of people
to radiation
B. It affects the peak exposure of people to
radiation
C. It takes into account the antenna feedline
loss
D. It takes into account the thermal effects
of the final amplifier
Antenna Safety
Power lines are the enemy of antenna
installers.
Before installing, LOOK UP! Stay clear of
any electrical wires. (T0B04)
Be sure that if any part of the
antenna or support falls you have at
least 10 feet of clearance. (T0B06)
Never attach an antenna to a utility
pole, since it could come into
contact with high voltage wires.
(T0B09)
The antenna tower should be grounded
with separate 8- foot long ground rods
for each tower leg, bonded to the tower
and to each other. (T0B08)
NEVER
climb a
tower
when
you are
alone!
(T0B03)
All members
of the ground
crew should
wear a hard
hat and
safety glasses
at all times.
(T0B01)
Before climbing, put on an approved
climbing harness and (safety glasses
and/or work boots) The boots are to
protect your arches while standing
on a narrow rung. (T0B02)
Use a gin pole
to help lift
tower sections
and antennas
(T0B05)
Never climb a
crank up tower
unless it is fully
retracted!
(T0B07)
T0B04
Which of the following is an important
safety precaution to observe when putting
up an antenna tower?
A. Wear a ground strap connected to your
wrist at all times
B. Insulate the base of the tower to avoid
lightning strikes
C. Look for and stay clear of any overhead
electrical wires
D. All of these choices are correct
T0B01
When should members of a tower work
team wear a hard hat and safety glasses?
A. At all times except when climbing the
tower
B. At all times except when belted firmly to
the tower
C. At all times when any work is being
done on the tower
D. Only when the tower exceeds 30 feet in
height
T0B02
What is a good precaution to observe
before climbing an antenna tower?
A. Make sure that you wear a
grounded wrist strap
B. Remove all tower grounding
connections
C. Put on a climbing harness and safety
glasses
D. All of the these choices are correct
T0B03
Under what circumstances is it safe to
climb a tower without a helper or
observer?
A. When no electrical work is being
performed
B. When no mechanical work is being
performed
C. When the work being done is not
more than 20 feet above the ground
D. Never
T0B05
What is the purpose of a gin pole?
A. To temporarily replace guy wires
B. To be used in place of a safety
harness
C. To lift tower sections or antennas
D. To provide a temporary ground
T0B06
What is the minimum safe distance from a
power line to allow when installing an
antenna?
A. Half the width of your property
B. The height of the power line above
ground
C. 1/2 wavelength at the operating
frequency
D. So that if the antenna falls, no part of it
can come closer than 10 feet to the
power wires
T0B07
Which of the following is an important safety
rule to remember when using a crank-up
tower?
A. This type of tower must never be
painted
B. This type of tower must never be
grounded
C. This type of tower must never be
climbed unless it is in the fully retracted
position
D. All of these choices are correct
T0B08
What is considered to be a proper
grounding method for a tower?
A. A single four-foot ground rod, driven into
the ground no more than 12”s from the base
B. A ferrite-core RF choke connected between
the tower and ground
C. Separate eight-foot long ground rods for
each tower leg, bonded to the tower and each
other
D. A connection between the tower base and a
cold water pipe
T0B09
Why should you avoid attaching an
antenna to a utility pole?
A. The antenna will not work properly
because of induced voltages
B. The utility company will charge you an
extra monthly fee
C. The antenna could contact highvoltage power wires
D. All of these choices are correct